Car insurance claims & help
A claim is the moment your car insurance actually matters - and the moment things most often go wrong. These guides walk you through what to do after an accident, how excess works, what happens when your car is written off, how to fight a rejected claim with the OSTI ombudsman, and what to expect in your city.
Claims how-to
How car insurance excess works
What excess means in car insurance: how basic, voluntary, compulsory and additional excess work in South Africa, and how to lower what you pay on a claim.
How to claim on your car insurance
How to claim on car insurance in South Africa: when to lodge, the documents you need, how excess works and what to expect from start to payout.
What to do immediately after a car accident in South Africa
Step-by-step on what to do after a car accident in South Africa: stay safe, swap details, take photos and report to SAPS within 24 hours.
What happens when your car is written off
What a written off car means in South Africa: how insurers decide total loss, retail vs market vs agreed value, and how your settlement is worked out.
How to claim after car theft or a hijacking
How to claim after car theft or hijacking in South Africa: report to SAPS, notify your insurer, the documents needed and how settlement works.
Rejected car insurance claim: your options
Car insurance claim rejected? Learn the common reasons, how to appeal the decision, and how to take a free complaint to the OSTI ombudsman in South Africa.
Claiming against the other driver (third party claim)
How to make a third party claim against the other driver in South Africa when they caused the crash, what evidence you need and when to use your own insurer.
Third party, fire and theft cover and claims
What third party fire and theft car insurance covers in South Africa, what it does not, and how claiming differs from comprehensive cover.
Non-disclosure and why claims get rejected
Non-disclosure is a top reason car insurance claims get rejected in South Africa. Learn what you must declare and how to keep your cover valid.
Claiming when you were not at fault
Claiming when you were not at fault in South Africa: claim on your own cover or against the other driver, recover your excess and protect your no claim bonus.
How long does a car insurance claim take?
How long a car insurance claim takes in South Africa: typical timelines for repairs, write offs and theft, plus what speeds up or delays your claim.
How a windscreen claim works
How a windscreen claim works in South Africa: chip repair vs replacement, excess, whether it affects your no claim bonus and how to lodge it.
Towing and storage after an accident
What to know about towing and storage after a car accident in South Africa: avoid pirate tow truck fees, who pays, and how to protect your claim.
Accidents & repairs
What voids your car insurance cover
What voids your car insurance in South Africa: drunk driving, an unroadworthy car, lapsed premiums, non-disclosure and other things that can sink a claim.
Approved vs non-approved repairers
Approved vs non-approved repairers in South Africa: what each means for your claim, warranties, parts and excess, and choosing your own panel beater.
Courtesy car and car hire cover
How courtesy car and car hire cover works in South Africa: when you get a replacement car, the conditions, limits and how to claim it after an accident.
By city
Car insurance in Johannesburg
Car insurance in Johannesburg: why premiums run high, theft and hijacking risk, what cover to prioritise and practical claims tips for Joburg drivers.
Car insurance in Cape Town
Car insurance in Cape Town: how coastal risk, theft and traffic affect premiums, what cover to prioritise and practical claims tips for Mother City drivers.
Car insurance in Pretoria
Car insurance in Pretoria: how risk and premiums compare, theft and traffic factors, what cover to prioritise and claims tips for Tshwane drivers.
Car insurance in Durban
Car insurance in Durban: how theft, traffic and coastal weather affect premiums, what cover to prioritise and claims tips for eThekwini drivers.
Car insurance in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)
Car insurance in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha): how risk and premiums compare, theft and weather factors, what cover to prioritise and claims tips.
Car insurance in Sandton
Car insurance in Sandton: why premiums run high for prestige cars, theft and hijacking risk, what cover to prioritise and claims tips for Sandton drivers.
Car insurance in Centurion
Car insurance in Centurion: how Gauteng theft, commuter traffic and parking affect premiums, what cover to prioritise and practical claims tips.
Car insurance in Bloemfontein
Car insurance in Bloemfontein: how risk and premiums compare, theft and traffic factors, what cover to prioritise and claims tips for Free State drivers.
Car insurance in Soweto
Car insurance in Soweto: how theft, parking and traffic affect premiums, affordable cover options to prioritise and practical claims tips for Soweto drivers.
Car insurance in East London
Car insurance in East London: how risk and premiums compare, theft and coastal weather factors, what cover to prioritise and practical claims tips.
Car insurance in Polokwane
Car insurance in Polokwane: how risk and premiums compare, theft and highway factors, what cover to prioritise and claims tips for Limpopo drivers.
Car insurance in Pietermaritzburg
Car insurance in Pietermaritzburg: how risk and premiums compare, theft, traffic and weather factors, what cover to prioritise and claims tips.